Diving deeper, the “REDUCE HELICOPTER Noise Act of 2023” primarily seeks to facilitate information sharing between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and helicopter operators, regarding complaints related to helicopter noise. The bill also intends to establish additional registration requirements for those who own or operate helicopters.
In terms of the procedure, any helicopter noise complaint received by an owner or operator is to be submitted to the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman within 48 hours of receipt. This requirement applies irrespective of whether the operator who received the complaint is the one involved in the alleged noise disturbance. Intriguingly, there will also be a mechanism for the public to directly submit a complaint pertaining to helicopter noise to the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman.
The proposed legislation goes beyond the simple collection of complaints. The Ombudsman will be required to identify the entity that is the subject of the complaint and evaluate whether the complaint has any merit. All meritorious complaints will be incorporated into a dedicated database, which would be accessible by the helicopter operators.
A noteworthy privacy protection measure is that access to the database is limited to the extent necessary for an operator to view complaints concerning their operations and indicate the actions planned or underway to address the complaints.
Interestingly, this legislation excepts from these requirements any complaints related to helicopters owned or operated by military departments or the Coast Guard.
Should the owner of a helicopter be unaware of a complaint against them in the database, the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman will notify them of the complaint provided it is judged to be meritorious. Following such notification, the owner/operator is required to indicate within 48 hours whether any action is being taken to address the complaint.
These changes are consequential for city dwellers and suburbanites alike, who often face disturbance from helicopter noise. Providing an accessible mechanism for grievance redressal can enhance the quality of life for many Americans affected by noise pollution.
In a further attempt to regulate helicopter noise, the REDUCE HELICOPTER Noise Act of 2023 requires that any individual or entity with an ownership stake of at least 10% in a helicopter submit detailed personal or business information to the Administrator, who will verify the registration eligibility of entities and individuals. These requirements extend itself to dealers in helicopters.
The bill is now with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, who will examine it before it can move for broader legislative consideration.
While the bill doesn’t propose a specific funding source, the new registration requirements may stimulate some additional revenue. However, the establishment and maintenance of a new information sharing database and complaint verification mechanisms will certainly necessitate the appropriation of funds.
In the wider context of aviation noise, the REDUCE HELICOPTER Noise Act of 2023 is an important step in addressing a longstanding and pervasive problem. This legislation offers an innovative approach to empowering those affected by helicopter noise and holding operators accountable, thereby contributing to the broader discussion surrounding aviation noise regulation and environmental health.
As this bill makes its way through the legislature, helicopter operators, individuals, and entities, including helicopter dealers, will need to pay close attention to its progress. If enacted, this legislation would require pivotal changes to current practices. Aside from the legislation’s direct impact on operators, the average citizen beleaguered by helicopter noise stands to benefit significantly from the proposed noise control measures. The ability to report directly to the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman and the subsequent verification and follow-up mechanisms increase the likelihood that their concerns will be heard and acted upon, which might result in quieter skies and more peaceful neighborhoods.
